Spencer looks much more composed and his box kicking and the chase are both spot on. Competing at the breakdown and attacking well. We're also exposing them when we put width on the ball. Lovely all-in (almost) lineout and drive for the try. Shades of Wales v the All Blacks. Lovely line from Earl.

Some calls go against you in any game. I think Kruis staying on has probably cancelled out any complaints we could have to date. Let's make it about the performance, not the ref.

I think we have the wind in the second half and whilst they have a very strong bench we are masters of our own destiny!! COYS.

Good effort from the team, think the younger players are showing some real class. Have to say that I think we were reffed out of the game, Carley loves the sound of is own voice. Impossible to get a foothold in the game, especially with the power Exeter have. Really not sure why we didn’t take the 3 at the end, might cost us a home semi.

Has anyone else noticed an increase in the times the TMO is chipping against one side, but not the other? I’m thinking Skelton against Quins, and today (although this was a pen, as was the one against Witten that was ignored). Saying that, Kruis lucky not to get a card.

Agree with the general view that the team played well. Exeter are a very good side and their direct runners took their toll as we knew they would. Tbh closer at the end than I thought it would be and I think if we'd sneaked a score and an LBP there could have been few complaints from Chiefs.

Like the look of Segun and a number of younger players including Earl showed up well. Hopefully the next time these two sides meet both will have access to all their players and we can see a really competitive game.

Could always see us losing that last lineout,we'd used that move all afternoon. Surprised too that we tried to power over with the forwards when it looked as though our backs were more capable of getting through.
Scrum concerns don't go away even though they got away with every early push. And even with the returning (hopefully!) players I don't see it getting ant better.
Ben S was much, much better as was Nathan Earle in the first half at least. Defensive intensity will have pleased the coaches one would think.
It just makes last week even more frustrating as there was definitely a win there for the taking.

Could have been worse! We're still in top 4 and now have a bit of a break which can't come quickly enough tbh. Some of our players will be back and as long as we stay in top 4, can't complain at that position considering the huge number of players out.

HuxleyGood effort from the team, think the younger players are showing some real class. Have to say that I think we were reffed out of the game, Carley loves the sound of is own voice. Impossible to get a foothold in the game, especially with the power Exeter have. Really not sure why we didn’t take the 3 at the end, might cost us a home semi.
Has anyone else noticed an increase in the times the TMO is chipping against one side, but not the other? I’m thinking Skelton against Quins, and today (although this was a pen, as was the one against Witten that was ignored). Saying that, Kruis lucky not to get a card.

Spencer's miss from 40m out with the wind behind mid way through the second half was quite a big momentum swing. Was amazed when he didn't have the legs. Misjudged it I think, as he tried to stroke it over rather than actually kicking it.

The decision to kick for the corner in the first half was a non decision in truth.
Bosch didn't have the legs from 38m out in front in the warm up, so there was no way Sarries would have got the kick from the angle into the wind.

Edit apologies, forgot there was a second pen from that lineout.
Still think it was a tough kick into the wind, as evidenced by the missed conversion.

HuxleyGood effort from the team, think the younger players are showing some real class. Have to say that I think we were reffed out of the game, Carley loves the sound of is own voice. Impossible to get a foothold in the game, especially with the power Exeter have. Really not sure why we didn’t take the 3 at the end, might cost us a home semi.
Has anyone else noticed an increase in the times the TMO is chipping against one side, but not the other? I’m thinking Skelton against Quins, and today (although this was a pen, as was the one against Witten that was ignored). Saying that, Kruis lucky not to get a card.

you were trailing by 12 pts....how does closing that to 9 pts help??

Because, as I literally just said, we then get possession from the Exeter kick off! Exeter were always going to compete hard at that line out.

Was impressed by Ben Earle. Looks quite a prospect with good pace and footwork too. Not quite as explosive as Sam Simmonds, but up there.
Jackson Wray was excellent as ever, and Alex Goode showed what a classy footballer he is.

The guys did well, sitting there it was difficult to understand why the ref gave some decisions, I thought a couple of the team were frustrated with him to say the least.
A reality check shows we pushed them hard at times but Exeter deserved the win. When you look at who we have to come back it's at least 10 of what could be considered the starting 15 plus 3-4-5 of the guys who make up our first choice 23.
We're in a good place, IMHO....

Seany_Boy0511I'm interested to hear what Matt Carley's explanation for the penalty try was...

Quite. We may well have conceded a penalty at that scrum, although it was hard to identify as both packs weee ‘chrating’; but to say that I’m all probability a try would have been scored seems a bit tenuous. Yellow card for anyone he identifies, fair enough. Would Exeter have then scored a try? Possibly; but I’m not sure gifting it to them was appropriate

Jim 55The guys did well, sitting there it was difficult to understand why the ref gave some decisions, I thought a couple of the team were frustrated with him to say the least.
A reality check shows we pushed them hard at times but Exeter deserved the win. When you look at who we have to come back it's at least 10 of what could be considered the starting 15 plus 3-4-5 of the guys who make up our first choice 23.
We're in a good place, IMHO....

Seany_Boy0511I'm interested to hear what Matt Carley's explanation for the penalty try was...

Quite. We may well have conceded a penalty at that scrum, although it was hard to identify as both packs weee ‘chrating’; but to say that I’m all probability a try would have been scored seems a bit tenuous. Yellow card for anyone he identifies, fair enough. Would Exeter have then scored a try? Possibly; but I’m not sure gifting it to them was appropriate

Fair enough, yes also a mention to Nathan Earle who looked more up for it today, we had proper job at our hotel so was on tribute in the Blue Ball, loved the atmosphere from us Sarries fans as well, just one of thoae things, onwards and upwards

Scrum is worrying though, especially that stat they put up that shows us as worst in the league on I think scrum on our own ball. Jamie and Mary will help but its been a bit of a concern even with them.

maynasScrum is worrying though, especially that stat they put up that shows us as worst in the league on I think scrum on our own ball. Jamie and Mary will help but its been a bit of a concern even with them.

maynasScrum is worrying though, especially that stat they put up that shows us as worst in the league on I think scrum on our own ball. Jamie and Mary will help but its been a bit of a concern even with them.

Have to agree that although a few decisions seemed to go against us the Chiefs did deserve the win.

But I will question one thing- a minute or 2 before their penalty try they threw a lineout which seemed to bounce off one of their players forwards and then (I think, memory is failing) we then knocked it on- they had a scrum- which then ultimately led to Goodey being held up behind the line before the scrum try.

Anyone else know why it wasn't a knock-on? Think a commentator said it hit someone on the back but a) is this then not a knock-on (genuine question) or b) did anyone see any replays because I didn't

SB - 60:50 - Ex lineout went through Skinner's (4) hands as they tried a short/front lineout, then hit a prop's head before we knocked on 10s later. Not at all clear that Skinner touched/knocked on the ball and since the header was not deliberate, no Knock on. Before the penalty try we managed to reach the ex 22 (Loz "in front" following a knock on). Goode tackled 67:30. No clear disadvantage to us in my opinion, just an example of how a referee is making difficult calls every few seconds of play.

I thought Kruis was immense, Isiekwe and Wray excellent again. Earl and Segun now know they can live at this level and it was pleasing to see Spencer return to form and Earle put his 'mare behind him. Great credit to the team for this performance, a LBP would not have flattered their commitment.

SBFez, I believe the knock on law states that a knock on happens when the ball goes forward after hitting the chest or arms of a player. So it is not a knock on from the thighs, head, or indeed the back of a player.
Happy to be corrected if that's wrong.

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